EE436 Antenna Theory and Design

Instructor: David R. Carey

Office: SLC-214a, ext. 4807

Course Description:

This course provides fundamental knowledge in the theory and design of antennas used in modern wireless telecommunication systems. It starts with an introduction into the theory of electromagnetic radiation and a description of antenna parameters. Antenna measurements are introduced in brief. After the students become familiar with single radiators of simple geometry, they will be introduced into the principles of analysis and design of antenna arrays. Special attention is paid to antennas popular in satellite and RADAR applications. The fundamental limitations on electrically small antennas are briefly introduced. Topics include: Electromagnetic vector potentials; Green's functions; radiating systems; image theory; reciprocity; directional arrays; linear and broadband antennas; moment method; aperture antennas; microstrip antennas, and antenna synthesis.
Prerequisite: EE 337

You are visitor:

The course provides knowledge in general properties of antennas, the electromagnetic theory behind their operation, and an overview of different antenna systems. Equal weight is placed on the electromagnetic aspects important for antenna design and on system aspects. Among the systems discussed are radar, cellular, and adaptive antenna systems.
The course is suited both for antenna designers and those who encounter the antenna as a sub-component in a system.
The course includes several computer exercises which are solved using MatLab®, LabVIEW® and EZNEC®, commercially available antenna software.
Computer Use: Students are expected to use computers to perform analyses, to prepare reports, and to conduct out-of-class assignments. Computers will be used to analyze data, prepare engineering graphs for reports, and perform analytic studies of typical electronic circuits. Knowledge of word-processing, spreadsheet, and analysis software (i.e., MS-Word®, MS-Excel®, Matlab®, PSpice, LabVIEW®, etc.) is required.
Homework: The assignments represent by far the most important element of the course, and where you will learn the most. I encourage you to work on them in groups if you like; the assignments will occasionally be difficult and may require more than one head! However, be convinced in the depths of your soul that letting others do the work for you will lead to disaster at test time. A good technique for many students is to try the assignment individually, then to get together with a friend or in a group for the tough ones. Many years of experience have shown that students who do not work the assignments thoroughly do not really understand the material and perform poorly at test time. Reading the text is never sufficient! You are expected to do your homework assignments by their due dates and have them available in class.
Grading: You are welcome to discuss the assignments with other students or with the instructor after you have made an effort by yourself. However, you must turn in your own work, not work identical to that of another student. Be sure to credit at the top of your assignment anyone with whom you discussed ideas. It is an honor code violation to simply copy someone else's work or refer to solutions from previous years.
If you miss an assignment or exam for a valid, verified emergency, see your instructor. Letter grades will not be based on a curve but rather on the following fixed scale: 90% or higher 4.0, 89-80 3.0, 79-70 2.0, 69-60 1.0 (.5 will be assigned for top ½ of each range). The advantage of the fixed scale is that you are not competing with other students to get ahead of the curve. Everyone who works hard can do well in the class. It is possible that the entire class can receive A's (all scores would be 90% or better). Those who do not do the work will score accordingly.
How to succeed in this course:

It is expected that a successful student will invest at least twelve hours studying and problem-solving per week outside of class. Do not expect a good grade if you are not prepared to work at least this much.

Read the assigned text before coming to lecture. The importance of this cannot be overemphasized.

Work as many problems as possible on a weekly basis; the assigned ones represent the minimum recommended. Do these on your own, if possible; then work with other students to solve the problems.